James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
James 2:2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
James 2:3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”
James 2:4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?
James's simple, clear instruction here, is for us not to "hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with partiality" And, then goes on to give us an example of how it might look if people were showing partiality. The word partiality means, to be a respecter of persons, and it comes from a word, meaning to be an accepter of a face. That is, to show preferential treatment to someone because of who they are, and to show a lesser treatment to someone, because of who they are not. In this case, treating a rich person in a certain way, and then treating a poor person in a certain way. We are not to be partial to the people we see because of who they are.
If we do this James says, ( 2:4 ) have we have become judges with evil thoughts? And, of course the answer would be yes we have. James then goes on from chapter 2:5-13 to give further explanation about showing partiality. We will look at that portion tomorrow.
The tendency would show itself especially when people with position or wealth would come into the congregation. This would be to show favoritism to someone because of who they are. And, it's spoken of by God as our becoming judges with evil thoughts.
It would be evil, because it's a false value system. Placing value on someone because of their money and place in society. And, then, it would be to dishonor the poor person, whom God actually honors. ( See 2:5 )
What a blessing to know that God is not a respecter of persons, He is not going to act one way towards someone because of who they are, and then another way to someone else because of who they are.
This means that You can expect the same love, the same care, the same mercy, etc, from God, as He would give to anyone else.
In fact, on a personal note, this was one of the first truths I learned about God, back in Feb 1973 shortly after I was saved. What a huge relief I felt in my own soul to realize that God loved me and cared for me as much as He did for anyone else. I hope you know that to be true for your life as well.
Thank You Lord for who You are, and how You deal with us, and what the Bible says about Your wonderful nature. May we represent You in a manner that is pleasing to you. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Application/Promise
1. He loves you just as you are.
2. He is not impressed with anyone because of who they are.
3. He is not un-imprssed because of who you are not.
4. He is not impressed by anyone.
5. He is loving and caring to any and everyone.
6. He never changes.
7. He wants us to act like Him towards others
